No child born on Skene is given the name of someone else living. Thus, every name is unique and there is no need for surnames, although sometimes a Skener will identify her aggie by giving her name as, for example, Yoj la Rosz, or Yoj of Rosz. Honorific is Nan (no gender distinction.

Amya = vetriste on Yanja, partner to Szebel, survivor of polioApi = Ethicist of Skene when Mill meets Oby, aggie of Oby, partner of Ollow (name means fire in Indonesian)Asha = Sigrist of Skene, along with partners Ludo and Kint; aggie of GerraBalt = pilot who flies the coroner sinnerBriel = child of Mrand, cousin to Gerra, eventual partner of DoddBux = [pronounced boochs using aspirated ch of Hebrew] youngest child of Yerush, Qen and Veida; partner to Yoj and Halling; aggie to Mill, Ndege, Dodd, Prl and Speranz; wandmaler and eventual Sheng Zhang of RahatClun = once lovers with Yoj; lighter pilot who dies when Mill is six months old; partner to FunaCulisa = second child of Yerush, Qen and Veida; siba to Bux; apprenticing to be part of a goatkeeping Manage on Yagi; (name means direct in Xhosa)Danaan = child of Iro and Ektr; partner to Rark; lighter pilot whom Halling saves; later explores new secano, helps Halling capture baby levi; (name means way in Tagalog)Dest = Head Genist before RaisaDodd = second child (twin to Ndege) of Bux, Yoj and Halling; dichter when grown (Y)Ektr = partner of Iro, runs crawler at compost field, aggie to DanaanEnyi = jigong at Lofthall, fired by Halling (name means friend in Igbo)Foln = Ethicist of Skene when Bux first partners with Halling and YojFuna = lighter pilot who was partnered with Clun before Clun's death; (name means desire in Zulu)Gerra = child of Asha, Ludo and Kint, future Sigrist, intimate of NdegeGusu = bully child when Yoj was little (name means mouth in Fijian)Halling = [pronounced hahl - ling with equal emphasis on both syllables] third child of Mwezi and Ng; partner to Yoj and Bux; emma to Mill, Ndege, Dodd, Prl and Speranz; first partnered with Xaya; later some-time lover of Szebel; lighter and then sinner; later Sheng Zhang of Lofthall; grew up on Motu Fling, later lives in Manage on RiesigIgoz = Sheng Zhang of Lofthall during Halling's time (name means nut in Hebrew)(Y)Iro = aggie to Danaan; partner of Ektr; runs junkyard on Abfall; secretly helps Halling get parts to make laser weapon for leviathansJaln = next-door neighbor to Manage, partner with Ried, owns consignment storeJyoti = other comadrona, lives on VerzinJua = timmer who works on loft and new bed (name means sun in Swahili)Kiani =Kint = Sigrist of Skene, along with partners Ludo and Asha; emma of GerraKonr = faryaste killed by leviathans in incident where Funa diedKpahi = youngest child of Moasi and Ktiva (name means shut the door in Lenape)Ktiva = partner to Ktiva, Halling's oldest siba (name means writing in Hebrew)Lawa = youngest child of Mwezi and Ng; after graduation works at ejida on Byli, then comes to work at ejida on Riesig; eventual partner of Qala (name means soup in Quechua)Lmape = lighter pilot who becomes sinnerLudo = Sigrist of Skene, along with partners Kint and Asha; emma of GerraLurok = elder on Pulo Fling, died and Bux served as wandmaler for her muralMaszon = partner to Veida, lighter, died youngMayim = sinner whose live was saved by Xaya; she talked Halling to coming back to being a sinner, gave her the map (names means water in Hebrew)Mill = oldest child of Bux, Yoj and Hallinger; lighter pilot when grownMoasi = eldest child of Mwezi and Ng; after graduation works as silkworm farmer on Seda, expects to inherit Manage on Motu Fling (name means cat in Navajo)Mrand = aggie on Hynys who dies giving birth before Veida can arrive; aggie to BrielMwezi = aggie to Halling, Moasi, Tu and Lawa; partner to Ng; silkworm worker and haicen; died young; lived on Motu Fling; child of Lranz, Maras and Qalaw (name means moon in Swahili)Mwiva = oldest child of Moasi and KtivaMyrd = second child of Rosz and Nilma; after graduation works as minataur on Exploit and resides there; estranged from familyNaki = (maybe a photographer?)Ndege = second child (twin to Dodd) of Bux, Yoj and Halling; sigrist when grown (name means bird in Swahili)Ng = emma to Halling, Moasi, Tu and Lawa; partner to Mwezi, later lover of Qen; faryaste to Seda, keramiker (fertile Y); lived first on Motu Fling, then in Manage on RiesigNilma = emma to Yoj, Myrd and Owera; partner to Rosz; works as qigong on Yanja; lives on Isola Fling intermittently; child of Amyr and MalinOby = child of Api and Ollow, intimate of MillOkano = AstronomerOllow = partner of Api, emma of Oby; saltmakerOwera = third child of Rosz and Nilma; after graduation works as qigong on Yanja; (name means wind in Mohawk)Paha = oldest child of Yerush, Qen and Veida; siba to Bux; partnered as waadvogel on Beras; (name means hill in Sioux)Pank = child of Veida's sib, eventually moves from Beras to partner with Tu, Halling's siba; aggie of NkPrl = fourth child of Bux, Yoj and Halling; genist when grownQala = radio operator at Lofthall; eventual secretary to Lofthall Sheng Zhang and partner to Lawa (Y)Qen = emma to Bux, Paha and Culisa; partner to Yerush and Veida; later lover of Ng; leraar; grew up on Byli; child of Ndigo, Curak and Lisan; (unknown XXY)Qiro = woman on Bosco, goes into labor and is delivered by VeidaRaisa = genist at time of leave to aggie for Bux, Yoj and Halling; old friend and sometime lover of YerushRark = lighter, partner of DanaanRied = next-door neighbor, night shift curandera, has affair with BuxRosz = aggie to Yoj, Myrd and Owera; partner to Nilma; lives on Isola Fling; faryaste to Yanja, haichen, takashrashon; grew up on Isola; child of Dodoj and TawerSchla = sinner and wrangler, former lover of BuxSonne = municipal water worker, former lover of YojSperanz = fifth child of Bux, Yoj and Halling; leraar and keramiker when grown; partner to TlunuSzebel = Halling's some-time lover on Yanja; mathematician to the vetriste guildTabeeya = neighbor on the lane in Riesig (name means nature in Arabic)Tche = resident of Krk Fling whose partner Zra is killed by leviathan while she is gathering kelp on cortices of KrkTlochin = partner to Paha, lives on Beras (name means onion in Navajo)Tlunu = child of Xaya's sib, eventual partner of Speranz; pilotTu = second child of Mwezi and Ng; after graduation works as silkworm farmer on Seda; eventually partners with Pank, child of Veida's sib; emma of NkUbal = childhood friend of YerushVants = second child of Moasi and Ktiva (Y)Veida = emma to Bux, Paha and Culisa; partner to Yerush and Qen; first partner was Maszon; was originally a lighter, retired after Maszon's death and became comadrona; grew up on Beras; child of Espara and Hamt (name means fish in Icelandic)Wiaki = partner of Szebel, massive yanjanger (name means abundance in Lenape)(Y)Xaya = first lover and partner of Halling; lighter who died young; sibemma to TlunuXichon = aggie on Argile who calls for services of VeidaYalewa = less than completely competent pilot at Lofthall (name means woman in Fijian)Yerush = aggie to Bux, Paha and Culisa; partner to Veida and Qen; only child of B'ruch and Melli; gakusha in history and teaches at University; sometimes elected ethicist; some-time lover of Raisa, later lover to Ng; grew up in Manage on Riesig and inherited itYoj = [pronounced yosh with long o] oldest child of Rosz and Nilma; partner to Halling and Bux; emma to Mill, Ndege, Dodd, Prl and Speranz; dichter and later gakusha as well; grew up on Isola Fling, later lives in Manage on RiesigZaMa = apprentice Archivist who agrees to train YojZ'bef = schoolchum of Yoj's who is convicted of murder and sent to exile on PeisuoZra = resident of Krk Fling (partner of Tche) who is eaten by leviathan as she is gathering kelp on the cortices of KrkZeman = Sheng Zhang of Lofthall during time of Veida

abba (pronounced ah-bah) = grandparentAbfall = Skene island dedicated to compost, recycling, junkyardada = island, name of a Fling in the East Tendrilaga (pronounced ah-gah) = stove/hearth, the center of every Manage; fueled by geothermal steam, it was never turned "off" and always had a cistern of simmering water for teaaggie (pronounced with a short a) = breeding womanardente = brandy (followed by name of food used to distill it, as ardentecherry)Argile = Skene island dedicated to clay productionbaugey = atollBeras = Skene island dedicated to rice cultivationBohaira = any lake, but especially the lagoon around the central island on Skene, protected from leviathans by atolls built by early colonistsbor = wine (bor is followed by name of fruit used to make it, as in borapple)Bosco = Skene island dedicated to forests and lumber as well as pig raisingbotaniste = horticulturalist; makes decisions about which species of plants or animals to resurrect from cold storage; annually elected positionbuono = uplandburzaka = waterproof rain slickerBurzas [means storms in Polish] = second month of the year, marks onset of winter, long storms, hog slaughter timeByli (farm in Icelandic) = experimental ejida + cranberry bog island in West Tendril; only inhabitants are workers for ejidaCalifia = name of a Fling in the West Tendrilcao (historical creature, none in existence) = cowcapriste = goatherdercartagen = papermakercarynn (pronounced kah-RIN) = peace, serenitycha = harvestcharco = poolchen = farm, farmer (for community use), agriculturechicken = chicken (however, usually differentiated into pullet, capon, biddy, hen or cock)child = child (no differentiation as to gender on Skene)chimiste = chemistchine = river valleyChloddia = Skene island dedicated to mining (mostly metals)chongyong = turbulent oceancomadrona = midwifecortices = shoreline areascurandera = healer/doctorcurtilage = the land, including tillage, around a ManageDelma = one of two moons for Skene, the other being Luwise; smaller of the two, has less tidal pulldichter = poet/songwriter whose official job is to create metered verse for lighters to distract leviathansduck = duckek or eks = unit of currency (most commerce is done by barter or comes by allotment)ejida = cooperative or community farm (as opposed to a Manage)emma = parent (usually differentiated from aggie, who is one's biological mother)Empat = fourth day of the week, work and school dayescollo = island, name of a Fling in the East Tendrilesker = ridge of gravel deposited by waterethicist = ethicist (elected every half-year, settles interim questions of public good unless larger vote is required)Exploit = Skene island dedicated to mining (mostly minerals and chemicals)eyja = island, name of a Fling in the East TendrilFaar = Skene island dedicated to sheep-raisingfadian = electrical workerfarraige = seafaryaste = ferry driverfisk = a kind of plentiful fish used for drying, a staple of Skene cuisineFling = the 24 small islands close enough for morrie vaseo but able to hold only one or perhaps two Manages; flings which do not have a water supply are called secanos. Skene's secanos are Sziget, Selva, and Ziza (the first two are maintained as herb-growing sanctuaries, the latter is a public park). Skene's Flings are Ada, Califia, Escollo, Eyja, Helle, Hynys (double Manage), Icarus, Inish, Insula, Isola, Krk, Motu, Oase, Ostrov, Pulau, Pulo, Refugio, Rho, Saari, Wyspa, and Yanuyanu (double Manage).gabal = mountain (not sharp peaks)gakusha = scholargazda = farmer (most on family farm)genist = geneticist and genealogist who tracks all lineages on Skene and determines which sperm stock is chosen for an aggie requesting leave to breed; a lifelong position, determined by election when she is an apprentice; only one mother genist and one apprentice at any given time, and the two of them are often at great odds with one another; their records are completely secretginny = slang term (not used in polite company, but not perjorative) for genitals, genital region, or sexual contact; applies to either genderglebe = field in cultivation to support a specific community institution, such as the university or the Lofthallgoat = goatgong = work/worker/craft/tradegoose = goosehabibi = great-grandparent or great-grandchildhai = oceanhaichen = kelp harvester (either as sinner or from cortices)hai cai = kelp which is edible and also acts as a thickenerhaidai = kelp which, when dried, produces the pale green meal that is the basis for Skene bread; also, the name for such breadhaigang = harborhai luo = kelp which produces a kind of plastic material used extensivelyhai zao = kelp which produces the fibers from which linen is madehamsa = sea creature with five ray arms, delicate flesh, rarehan = seahelle = island, name of a Fling in the West Tendrilhidraler = plumberhnisa = porpoisehuerta = orchardhuertanera = orchardisthynys = island, name of a Fling in the West Tendril with double ManageIcarus = name of a Fling in the West Tendrilikan = a kind of fish with small, limber bones which is pounded flat, flash-fried, and fed to children as a daily source of calcium; also popular as traveling foodIki = second day of the week, work and schooldayinish = island, name of a Fling in the East Tendrilinsula = island, name of a Fling in the East Tendrilisola = island; name of Fling where Yoj grew up in East TendrilJian [means shearing] = fourth month of year, still cold but starting to warm at end of month, sheep shearing timejichang = airportjigong = aircraft maker, mechanicJuh = Skene island dedicated to sheep-raisingkala = a kind of fish, rich in oil which is extracted for multiple usesKall [means cold in Swedish] = third month of the year, coldest month, overcast and sometimes frostykatt = catkeramiker = potter/ceramicistkihapai = arable field fronting the ocean with high salt exposurekilada = valleykinusan = silk farmerkoukei = a rongyanger on Yanja with the special, secret duty of using an illegal-grade laser to keep the magna vent openKrk = name of a Fling in the West Tendrilkuono = baykuvual = a kind of fish which produces ink sacs which are prized for dying and other craftsLamminsade [means warm rain in Finnish] = seventh month of the year, spring continues, at end of month another two week period of storms but these are less severe and warm rains to launch cropsleraar = teacherlighter = small aircraft used for light hauling (home lighter) or interference for fishing craft (wasa lighter), or the pilot of such a craftLjeto [means summer in Serbo-Croatian] = ninth month, high summerlong xu = kelp which grows on rocks and has an astringent flavor; grown in cortices away from any island runoffLofthall = the meeting and sometime living space for all pilots; also the ministry governing all airflight issuesLuwise = one of two moons for Skene, the other being Delma; larger of the two, has more tidal pullManage = family, home, home farmManager = family memberMchele [means rice in Swahili] = tenth month of the year, late summer, cooling begins, rice harvestmchungaji = shepherd (generic)mead = uncultivated field (very rare)Med [means honey in Czech] = eighth month of year, time eel migration and harvest, beginning of summer, first light harvest, first honey harvest, school lets outmoana = oceanMoja = first day of the week, back to work/schoolmohit = oceanmorrie = seamorrie strati = viscous, reddish patches of ocean where leviathans congregatemorrie vaseo = ocean that is free from threat of leviathans, between islands; also used metaphorically, as in "safe passage"motu = island; name of Fling where Halling grew up in West TendrilNastere [means birth in Rumanian] = sixth month of year, spring month, lambs and kids born, culling of the sheep and goat herds, planting of crops begins in earnestnian cheng = harvest report for the yearoase = island, name of a Fling in the West Tendrilostrov = island, name of a Fling in the East TendrilOt = fifth day of the week, last day of work and schoolpecoriste = sheepherder/shearerPeisuo = Skene island set aside for exiles (prison)pig = pigplica = canyon or valleyPomar = central island on Skene, dedicated to orchards, soybeans, apiary, and large public park accessible by ferry from two main islandspotami = riverPotenza (Italian for power) = ministry governing utilities including electricity, water, geothermal, radios, plus ferriespulo = island, name of a Fling in the West Tendrilqi gong = steam workerqing shi = pumiceqingsher = pumice sculptorRaccolto [means harvest in Italian] = first month of the year, New Year, main harvest begins this month, school resumes, autumnal weather, storms begin at end of monthRahat (Turkish for welfare) = ministry of health and education which oversees school, university, scholars, hospital, midwives, genist (including leave for aggies and partnering), vetsrambla = streamRecursos (Spanish for resource) = ministry overseeing natural resources including mining, lava, petroleum, wood, gravel, lasersrefugio = island, name of a Fling in the East TendrilRiesig = largest central island on Skene, containing airfield, university, sigrist, genist, archives, school, fish docks all in town of Riesig Pliss, and acting as hub for the West TendrilRho = name of a Fling in the West Tendrilriada = small riverrimple = canyon or valley with soft slopesrivel = ridgerobin = island bird, blue-green in color, neither useful nor an extreme pestRoku = sixth day of the week, Market Day, school is outrongyan = lava sculpted into rocksrongyanger = worker who sculpts lava into walls, furniture, etc.ruck = a valley that looks like a crease in the land's fabricsaari = island, name of a Fling in the East Tendrilsakana = a kind of fish, with buttery and tender flesh, very popularsamaki = a kind of fishSan = third day of the week, work and school dayseabeak = bird somewhat analogous to seagulls, except larger and only partially feathered on head and undersidesecano = island without fresh water on it; Skene has three, Selva, Sziget and ZizaSeda = Skene island dedicated to silkworm cavern and mulberry treessetzer = printershaoxing = rice winesheep = sheepsheng zhang = governor of limited powers, mostly an administrator, elected every yearshigakka = archivist/historianShmonah = eighth day of the week, school is out, no work except for certain occupations, traditionally used for rest and gathering with belovedsshu = pernicious lizards with a painful bite, drawn to domestic scavenging; kept in control by heavy population of household kattssib = sibling (gender not differentiated, only whether younger or older); plural sibssiba = older siblingsibashte = sisterhood/brotherhood, communal feelingsibu = younger siblingsigrist = timekeeper/bellringersinner = heavy aircraft for fishing and harvesting kelp (wasa sinner and haichen sinner), and also for heavy hauling around Skene (home sinner); also, the pilot who flies such a craft; not for aggiesSju = seventh day of the week, school is out, no work today except for certain occupations, day traditionally set aside for community meetings, performances, or visiting across Skenesoto = grovesui = age grade/color year; every child is born into a color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, or violet) and number (current generation is 58) which determines their age grade -- adults from age grades too far distant from one another may not partner or aggie with each other -- Halling is a Green 56, Yoj is a Blue 56, and Bux is a Red 57sziget = island, name of a Secano in the West Tendriltai = seatakashkinu = silk weavertakashlany = wool weavertakashrashon = linen weavertal = hillTanyan (Czech for farming) = ministry which oversees all community interest in agriculture including ejidas, compost and recycling, silkworms, orchards, rice, livestock, seafoodtiang = rice syruptillage = the cultivated fields belonging to a Manage, usuallytimmer = carpenter (of wood)tolt = an uplands so narrow and steep it cannot be shaped into usable territoryuo = a kind of fishuominori = fish processoruorui = sorter of the fish that gets brought in by a sinnervaccio = desert (used metaphorically as a kind of hell)varrer = clothing makerVerzin = large central island on Skene, heavily used for manufacture, hub of the East TendrilVerzinnen (Dutch for manufacturing) = ministry overseeing manufacturing and commerce including weaving, dying, metallurgy, ceramics, paper and book making, printing, glassmaking, shopkeepingvetriste = glassmakervis = a kind of fish whose dried flesh renders easily to meal, used heavily in soups, breads and sprinkled on saladswaadvogel = rice grower (means wader)wandmaler = muralist who paints each Manage's pictorial ancestry on their walls; works closely with historical lineageswasa = oceanwasa lighter = pilot who flies small aircraft that runs interference for sinners; extremely dangerous, mythologized, and usually short-lived occupation, for the young and not for aggieswindrow = a hill or series of hills that occur in straight parallel lineswoman = any human adultwyspa = island, name of a Fling in the West TendrilX = a human of XX or XXY configuration, used only in private and information known only to family members -- considered extremely objectionable to use this term in publicxiao = octopusY = a human of XY configuration, used only in private and information known only to family members -- considered extremely objectionable to use this term in publicYagi = Skene island dedicated to goat-raisingYanja = Skene island dedicated to lava sculpting and glass-makingyanjiang = lavayanjanger = lava sculptoryanuyanu = island, name of a Fling in the East Tendril (double Manage)Yaomur [means rain in Turkish] = fifth month of year, rains all month, much fog, rice planting timeyejiniste = metallurgistying = oceanzaoxue = dress bootszaliv = bayzayit = olive oilzhang gui = shopkeeper

Note: All references to "linen" is not our linen derived from flax, but a similar appearing and feeling fabric extracted from a particular kelp on Skene. Linen is in abundant supply; the other two fabrics on Skene, wool and silk, are rationed and every scrap is intensively used, as in quilts and baby clothes made from worn-out adult attire.

CHILDREN:[same as for adults except for onesies and diapers for babies]yi(means single in Chinese) = linen onesies with ties at crotch, ankles and wristsyameen(means right in Arabic) = infant carrier sling of soft padded linen, straps at angle from right to left across the chest

Big Island = Riesig(means enormous in German) -- has long river (Rambla, which splits into North and South Rambla) coming down from tolt called The Shatters, memorials for dead are placed at The Shatters, sigrist on highest peak who watches for weather and danger to announce on household radio, docks where fish are dumped by sinners, then sorted, then processed; also has main airfield and aircraft factory, Lofthall, main town with school, university, hospital, administrators offices, post office, archive and vault, setzer, genist, botaniste, ethicist, shopkeepers, ejida plus greenhouses plus chicken farm for public allotment, glebe for university food farmed by students, steamworks, plus ferry to and from Pomar as well as ferry along the Western Tendril

Second-biggest Island = Verzin(Dutch for manufacture) -- has astronomer at one end, long river (Nahar) from heights, gravelworks at esker, ejida, weavers and dyers, manufacturing (plastics, metal), main electrical plant, steamworks, paper makers, plus large airfield, many residents, shops, and ferry to and from Pomar, as well as ferry along the Eastern Tendril

Woods island = Bosco(means woods in Italian) -- has variety of hardwoods plus lumber mill, varnish and resin processing; also has pigs (run loose in the forests) and carpenters; airfield

Farm island = Byli(means farm in Icelandic) -- has botaniste-run ejida with experimental crops plus cranberry bog, no private residences aside from ejida workers; since winds on Skene flow generally east to west, is at far edge of West Tendril to keep from pollinating other islands

Magma island = Yanja(yan jiang means lava in Chinese) has active magma flow and lava workers who create housing walls, pumice workers who create furniture, roof tiles, etc., glassmakers plus large airfield; also has dropoff over magma flow at ocean edge where funerals are held before bodies wrapped in linen are dropped into the magma

Rice island = Beras(means rice in Indonesian) -- has tolt with fresh-water river Potami; most of island terraced for rice farming with ducks and geese flocked on rice ponds, plus airfield, residences, few shops; on protected atoll lagoon with Yanja

Clay island = Argile(means clay in French) -- has clay fields and some keramikers for large projects, although this is also a cottage industry done at some individual Manages; small lighter field, otherwise Manages and a shop or two

Sheep islands = Juh(means sheep in Hungarian) and Faar(means sheep in Norwegian) -- each island has four enormous paddocks for sheep which are rotated through each quarter-year and reseeded; charcos; with centralized residences for herders and shearers, shearing shed, wool processor, charnal house, lighter field, few shops; one island on protected atoll lagoon with South Verzin, second island on protected atoll lagoon with North Verzin

Flings, 21 small islands with individual names = large enough to hold only one or perhaps two Manages, with farm land, separate geothermal access for heat, water well, electricity is made from small steam turbine, accessed by ferry

Secanos, 3 small islands without their own water supply so uninhabitable except are on ferry lines; two are planted with herbs which will survive with rainfall only and one is used as public recreational land

ANNUAL ALLOTMENTS FOR ADULT SKENERS (HALF FOR CHILDREN UNDER TEN YEARS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED)

All Skeners receive an annual allotment from community harvest which will include:3 yards of woven wool plus 2.5 lbs yarn (half allotment for children up to age 10)3 yards of silk (half allotment for children up to age 10)50 yards of linen (full allotment for children)Enough leather to make one pair of boots plus resole two other pairs of shoes except for workers in certain occupations, who can get new work boots every time an old pair wears out (miners, lava workers)Enough canvas to make two pairs of shoes (more for children as needed)20 square yards of plastic sheeting in various plys400 pounds of rice100 pounds of rice flour20 liters of rice syrup10 liters of rice wine150 pounds of soybeans (to make into tempeh, tofu, miso)200 pounds of dried beans (pinto, black, kidney, navy, lentils)10 liters of mulberry syrup1.5 pounds of honey1 pound of beeswax11 liters of olive oil10 liters of olives20 liters of vinegar150 pounds of fisk150 pounds of ground vis150 pounds of daily fresh fish (depending on what is available)135 pounds of pork consisting of 24 lbs ham, 20 lbs bacon, 17 pounds of pork roast, 18 pounds of picnic shoulder, 7 pounds of pork chops, 8 pounds of sausage, 7 pounds of "miscellaneous" cuts, 6 pounds of salt pork, and 31 pounds of lard10 pounds of mutton or lamb10 pounds of goat meat15 pounds of cheese (four times this amount for pregnant or nursing aggies, and children over the age of one)15 gallons of goat milk (four times this amount for pregnant or nursing aggies, and children over the age of one)10 pounds of sheep cheese (twice this amount for pregnant or nursing aggies, and children over the age of one)100 sheets of paper (unlimited allotment for scholars and ministers; additional paper available for purchase by individuals)___ wood1/1000th of all fruit and nuts (fresh and dried) produced, depending on crop, including almonds, walnuts, pistachios, filberts, cranberries, apples, pears, apricots, persimmon, cherries, plums, figs, quinces, oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, avocados, pumpkins5 liters of fruit wine or brandy1/1000th of all edible kelp harvested (non-edible kelp used to make linen, plastics, paper, etc.)

ITEMS AVAILABLE IN UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OR WITHOUT COST TO SKENERSUnlimited compost; structural lava "planks" for house building (but must pay for transport and construction); electricity (although usage is carefully monitored for conservation), steam power and heat, water, but all utility installation and repair labor must be purchased; sewage; recycling (which can actually result in credits, depending on the items recycled)Free public schooling and hospital/curandera care.Free herbs and medications prescribed by curandera.Free access to university but must pass admissions process.Free services of genist, botaniste and Ethicist (but fees charged for permits).Free use of archives but must obtain permit first.Free passage on ferries.Free use of lighters and sinners for hauling and transportation, but must be on schedule determined by Sheng Zhang who grants priority to community interest and commerce over individuals.Exile is maintained at no expense to the families of exiles.

Livestock have been added to Skene ecology only in the last 300 years, except for chickens which were brought out from cold storage early in the colony's days and katts which were introduced early to deal with the scourge of shu. Each new livestock animal has meant a loss of arable land and caused much passionate debate before it could finally be agreed upon to try. Currently under debate are llamas, chiefly for the fibers. Skene will never be able to support large herbivores such as cows or horses. Livestock is raised on ejidas, on specific islands set aside for their production, to control their impact on the environment.

One pig grown for about six months produces about 135 lb. of meat consisting of 24 lbs ham, 20 lbs bacon, 17 pounds of pork roast, 18 pounds of picnic shoulder, 7 pounds of pork chops, 8 pounds of sausage, 7 pounds of "miscellaneous" cuts, 6 pounds of salt pork, and 31 pounds of lard, plus scrap meats; will have to keep sows for breeding rest of year1000 pigs would mean 135 lb pork per year per person, or pork every 3 days

Domesticated rice grows at 4000 lb per acre per year.Rice and some fibrous kelp are the only big sources of carbohydrates on Skene.Skene bread is made from a mixture of rice flour, kelp flour (called haidan), some fish meal, and other flavors as desired, and is called haidan.

Chickens are grown by individual Manages, with excess eggs taken to market. Several species of chickens are raised on Skene. At least one large Manage on each island will grow roosters you can "rent" to fertilize your eggs in order to breed a new set of chicks.

SERVICES AND PRODUCTS WHICH MUST BE PURCHASED BY BARTER OR CURRENCY

Wandmaler muralsComadrona servicesStamps for mailingInk and printingRadiosCeramics and glassDyingConstruction of clothes from raw goodsMetalsPumice-based construction (furniture, fences, roofs)Carpentry/timmersTerrasculpting (i.e., use of lasers): Can only be done by permit of Sheng Zhang and labor of workers must be purchased.Utility installation and repair (electricity, plumbing, steam, water)Hauling of construction or commercial materials or other large items for individual useFees for commercial permits, construction permits, adjudication.Chemicals and their products (washing soap, etc.)Junk and recycled materials at junkyardAll additional foods, fabrics, raw materials not covered by allotment

OCCUPATIONS PAID FOR BY PUBLIC FUNDS

LighterSinnerDichterLeraarGakushaSigristsSheng Zhangs and secretariesGenistEthicistBotanisteArchivist (includes vaultkeeper)Curanderas and hospital workersPostal workersEjida workersFaryasteYinjangerHerb gatherersCompost workersRecyclersElectrical plant operatorsSteam plant operatorsSewage plant operatorsLava shapers of building materialsCheesemakers, milkers, herders, butchers, smokers, tanners, shearers, carders, weavers who make goods for allotmentOrchardists, oil pressers, fruit dryers, and winemakers who produce for public allotmentRice, duck and goose farmers for public allotmentKelp processers for public allotmentFish sorters (all)Beekeepers and honey processors for public allotmentSilk workers for public allotmentWeavers (all kinds) for public allotment

Annual harvest and production report (nian cheng) is published in Raccolto, then two months later during Kall, entire community meets to vote on next year's plan. Voting during the coldest month tends people toward conservation and thinking of the public good.

SIGRIST AND RADIO

Sigrist, or sexton, is a job shared by a Manage who lives atop Sigrist Poke (the highest elevation on Skene) on the biggest island, Riesig. Two or more adults split the 12 hours of daylight sitting in a cupola with a panoramic view of Skene and the oceans beyond, using telescope and some scientific instruments to keep track of weather, ocean conditions, natural disasters, and leviathan activity. They are the voice of the radio present in every Skene household. The radio announces the time every five hours, as well as tides, ferry schedules, details of important community events, and warnings about weather, physical threats such as tsunamis or fires, and the approach of leviathans to Skene shores. During six hours of darkness, the radio goes on automatic, announcing only prerecorded notices of time, tides and ferry schedules. Radio communication is available to all Skeners. However, it is linked to structures except for ferries and aircraft, and is completely public (every radio on Skene will hear what you say into your mic), so it is seldom used for personal communication. Most Skeners either speak to one another in person or, across distances (such as to the Flings) use mail, which is delivered twice a day.

OVERVIEW:There are 20 hours to each day, 8 days to a week, 5 weeks to a month, 10 months to a yearOne year = 400 days, 50 weeksFirst five days of the week are work days for all occupations and school days for children, followed by a three-day weekend where the first day is market day, next day popular for performances and social gatherings as well as community meetings, last day often given over to rest and quiet. Exceptions are lighters and sinners -- they must work when the weather allows.Ferry schedules (and consequently some work and performance/meeting schedules) are run according to tides -- many ferries cannot run during high tide because there is no morrie vaseo when leviathans can approach shores or inlets.

Subscribe To

WISH LIST

THINGS I NEED:Emergency gasoline- or propane-powered generator of 2500 watts or better

THINGS I WANT:Books: Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey by William Least Heat Moon; The Round House by Louise Erdrich; Some Assembly Required by Annie and Sam Lamott; Silk Parachute by John McPheeFruit, cheese, and/or nutsNon-acidic file storage boxes1 small container treacleDecent working vacuum cleaner (have an electric broom, need heavier duty)Birdseed that attracts cardinals, jays, buntings, juncos, nuthatches and woodpeckersDVD with "An American in Paris"Cat food: W/D feline kibbleStrawberry potTurntable that converts vinyl to MP3s

ITEMS REMOVED FROM LIST:

"Singing In The Rain" and "Wizard of Oz" [gifted to me by Tammi Castillo]A Simple Revolution by Judy Grahn [gifted to me by Kitty Barber]

"Flight Behavior" by Barbara Kingsolver [gifted to me from Pam I.!!]1 year donation to Heifer International for either chickens or a goat to an African farm woman [gifted to me from Win Farrell and Sheldon Linseth!!]1 year sub to Netflix [gifted to me from Liza Cowan!!]

ONLINE FREE DONATION LINKS

Click here to give
Go to the above site and click (no cost to you) to help provide free mammograms for women who cannot afford them. At this site are tabs which will also allow you to Click to Give food for the hungry, free child healthcare, books to spread literacy, rainforest habitat protection, and food/care for animal rescue. Easy do-gooding!

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR GINNY BATES

For background information on the characters and a basic summary of Ginny Bates, read this. For past chapters, go down this column to Labels, find Ginny Bates and follow the numbers in brackets after each label to read the chapter in more or less chronological order.

To see a floorplan of their house, go to the post Setting Up House. For a "genealogy" of the main characters, look at this graphic. To see the map of "their" Seattle, click on this. For a floorplan of their beach house near Galveston, check here. For the floorplan of their second house, after 2013, look here.

Why This Blog?

In the mid 1980's, I began creating a periodic newsletter for a close circle of friends, sharing information and thoughts -- like a holiday letter, only several times a year. I consumed a great deal of press-on typeface, Dover uncopyrighted graphics, and offset printing services. Sometimes I miss those days, the hands-on tangibility of it all. Two of those newsletters became infamous: The one where I was taken in by the "Alien Autopsy" fake documentary on Fox and wrote everybody about how this had to be exposed (listen, it was a difficult year for me) and the one where I sent everybody a color Xerox of the polyp photographed within my uterus.

My friend AJ brought me into the cyberworld, and eventually my newsletters became select group e-mails, named Maggie's Watershed. But now it's time to make use of even more expanded technology (and thanks to Liza Cowan for the nudge). This format will allow you to link easily to sites and sights I'm recommending, and will also give you the chance to comment. Ya'll come back now, heah?